Evolution trends internal fixation materials knowledge mapping

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic biomaterials research
• Biomedical engineering
• Materials science

Background:

• Internal fixation materials (IFM) are vital for fracture fixation and bone healing in orthopedics.
• Traditional metallic IFM (stainless steel, titanium alloys) have limitations in biocompatibility.
• Recent focus is on biodegradable materials like magnesium alloys and composites for enhanced biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze research hotspots, trends, and dynamics in internal fixation materials (IFM) from 2004-2024.
• To identify key themes, influential researchers, and leading institutions in the IFM field.
• To provide insights into the evolution and future directions of IFM research.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and CiteSpace.
• Keyword co-occurrence and citation analysis of IFM research.
• Dataset available at https://github.com/Lin1Xiao2Zhou3/VOS-CiteSpace-Datasets and https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14277420.

Main Results:

• Core research priorities include bioactive materials, mechanical properties, and biodegradability for bone healing.
• Emerging research directions involve novel materials, advanced composites, and biomedical engineering applications.
• Key themes identified are enhanced biocompatibility and reduced need for secondary surgeries.

Conclusions:

• The field of IFM is evolving towards advanced biodegradable and bioactive materials.
• Future research should focus on personalized designs and improved biocompatibility for clinical needs.
• This study offers a comprehensive overview for researchers in academia and clinical practice.